This iconic quote from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, from a series of sketches which first broadcast almost 50 years ago, parodies the real-life Spanish Inquisition.

Fans of the Pythons will know that this quote has become a bit of a catch all response for life’s unexpected moments, especially if it’s a bad unexpected moment.

Here at Airdrie Public Library (APL), we have responded to the impact of the coronavirus, shutting down for instance, but, of course, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Like many public institutions in Alberta, many APL employees are working from home now, ensuring that your library stays connected with you, and preparing for that day when we open again.

Until then, though, your library card might be more valuable then you thought.

All those online resources you sort of knew about; they’ve suddenly become a thing!

Here are just a few:

RBdigital opens the world of digital magazines (including comic books) with access to hundreds of popular titles, such as The Economist, The New Yorker, and National Geographic, with many available in English, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese.

And, our mothership organization, the Marigold Library System, has just added four very cool eResources to help our patrons cope with being cooped up.

AudioBookCloud is an all-ages streaming audiobook collection; RomanceBookCloud has close to 2,000 Romance eBooks, which are simultaneous use, so no downloading required; TeenBookCloud is an eBook library for middle school and high school ages, with simultaneous use, so, again, no downloading required; and TumbleMath is a collection of picture books about math for K-6.

So, while nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition – or a nasty virus – our locked doors can not stop APL patrons from accessing a world of online literacy.

For more information on all our eResources, visit airdriepubliclibrary.ca.